Optical fiber connection system including optical fiber alignment device with optical fiber cleaner

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to system and method for cleaning an end face of a bare optical fiber ( 100 ). The system and methods include inserting the end face of the bare optical fiber ( 100 ) through a layer of material ( 500 ) that includes electrospun fibers.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An optical fiber alignment system comprising:
 an alignment device extending between first and second fiber insertion regions, the alignment device defining an alignment groove that extends between the first and second fiber insertion regions, the alignment groove defining a fiber insertion path between the first and second fiber insertion regions; 
 an engagement member disposed opposite the alignment groove; 
 a biasing member that extends over the engagement member so that the engagement member is disposed between the biasing member and the alignment groove, the biasing member applying a spring bias to the engagement member to bias the engagement member towards the alignment groove sufficient to at least partially close the fiber insertion path, whereby an optical fiber displaces the engagement member against the spring bias to open the fiber insertion path when the optical fiber is moved within the alignment groove along the fiber insertion path; and 
 gel disposed within the alignment device. 
 
     
     
       2. The optical fiber alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein the alignment device is elongate between the first and second fiber insertion regions. 
     
     
       3. The optical fiber alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein the alignment groove has a curved transverse cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
       4. The optical fiber alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing member includes a cantilevered beam. 
     
     
       5. The optical fiber alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing member holds the engagement member at the alignment device. 
     
     
       6. The optical fiber alignment system of  claim 5 , wherein the engagement member is disposed within a pocket defined by the alignment device; and wherein the biasing member is mounted to the alignment device to extend across the pocket. 
     
     
       7. The optical fiber alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein the alignment groove defines a mating location at which end faces of optical fibers inserted at the first and second fiber insertion regions contact each other, and wherein the biasing member is offset from the mating location. 
     
     
       8. The optical fiber alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing member is one of a plurality of biasing members. 
     
     
       9. The optical fiber alignment system of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of biasing members include cantilevered springs extending from a common body. 
     
     
       10. The optical fiber alignment system of  claim 9 , wherein a first of the cantilevered springs extends in a first direction and a second of the cantilevered springs extends in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. 
     
     
       11. The optical fiber alignment system of  claim 8 , wherein the engagement member is one of a plurality of engagement members. 
     
     
       12. The optical fiber alignment system of  claim 11 , wherein each biasing member applies a spring bias to one of the engagement members. 
     
     
       13. The optical fiber alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement member is a separate piece from the alignment device. 
     
     
       14. The optical fiber alignment system of  claim 13 , wherein the engagement member includes a ball. 
     
     
       15. The optical fiber alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second fiber insertion regions define insertion passages that taper inwardly towards the fiber insertion path as the insertion passages extend into the alignment device. 
     
     
       16. The optical fiber alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein the alignment groove has a v-shaped transverse cross-section. 
     
     
       17. The optical fiber alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing member crosses the fiber insertion path. 
     
     
       18. The optical fiber alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein the gel is a thixotropic gel. 
     
     
       19. The optical fiber alignment system of  claim 1 , wherein the alignment device, the engagement member, and the biasing member are disposed within a body of an optical adapter, the body being configured to receive and releasably retain a respective optical plug connector at opposite ends of the body. 
     
     
       20. the optical fiber alignment system of  claim 19 , wherein the body of the optical adapter is configured to receive and releasably retain a plurality of optical plug connectors at each of the opposite ends of the body; and wherein the body holds a plurality of alignment grooves, a plurality of engagement members, and a plurality of biasing members.